Public and land-grant universities across the nation champion agriculture every day through their research, education, and Extension.

Preserving and strengthening markets is essential to the sustainability of the agricultural sector. Through technology and educational programs provided by land-grant universities, small agricultural businesses can identify new trends, develop risk management strategies and adopt new methods to ensure their businesses thrive.

Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery plants. Recently, the U.S. specialty crop industry has been faced with rising global competition, labor shortages, demand for higher quality, and concern about environmental impacts and sustainability. Automated devices can help with growing, harvesting, and processing if they are designed and implemented appropriately. Researchers at land-grant universities are working together—and with Extension professionals and industry partners—to develop automated systems that help optimize specialty crop production.

Pollinators are the unsung heroes of our food system, ensuring the production of fruits, vegetables, and countless other crops. Yet, habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide exposure are threatening their survival. Across the Northeast, Land-grant universities are leading innovative research and outreach efforts to protect these critical species, supporting both biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.

The United States is the world’s top producer of beef, contributing to about 20% of the world’s production. In 2023, the U.S. beef industry had an estimated value of $102 billion. Land-grant universities are supporting the beef industry through research, Extension and education, ensuring producers remain economically viable and are able to safely meet changing market demands.

Land-grant university research and outreach is helping manage the impacts invasive weeds and species have on growers and agricultural productivity.